Practice Model

Outcomes

An effective practice model will provide direction and guidance to public child welfare staff in attaining specified outcomes for children, youth and families. Although individual agencies have particular outcomes that they strive for and articulate within their practice model relating to children, youth, families and their community, outcomes ultimately must focus on improving the safety, permanence and well-being for children, youth and families.

Practice models provide for the following foundational outcomes for the agency itself:

Practice at the service delivery level is linked directly to the strategy of the agency, assuring service delivery is in alignment with the objectives, values and principles.

Staff in all levels of the agency will treat each other and the families and youth it serves in accordance with the values.

Policy, processes, products and tools support effective casework leading to positive outcomes for children, youth and their families.

A continuous improvement process that provides direction for planning and goal-directed change is in place and serves its purpose.

Tasks and activities are informed by evidence and connected to the strategy of the agency so that children and youth grow up in safe and permanent environments and that their educational, medical and mental health needs are met.

The well-being of the children and youth who come to the attention of the public child welfare system is supported by promoting their safety and permanence.

The equitable treatment of all people must be standard practice. The process of assuring this is addressed in the practicemodel, providing tools for reducing disparities in outcomes for different populations within a jurisdiction.